As part of its annual program on Diplomacy Academy, the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum hosted on Friday 8 Dhul al-Qi’dah 1442 AH corresponding to 18 June 2021, H.E. Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the Academy, and H.E. Prof. Azza Karam, Secretary General of Religions for Peace, during the second session on faith and diplomacy.

The Secretary General of the Academy began his speech by explaining the importance of faith in human life and society as a fundamental source of guidance and direction, and for being the first reference for distinguishing the good from evil in ideas and opinions, and in acts and actions. His Excellency explained that the greatest goal of successful diplomacy is to improve cooperation, integration, and communication between peoples and resolve differences and conflicts between them. Therefore, diplomacy as a tool and methodology of treatment must be based on and inspired by faith to know the effective means that must be employed to achieve its objective. In other words, since faith is a source of noble virtues and high morality such as honesty, mercy, kindness, righteousness, integrity and others, successful diplomacy must start from these virtues and morals and abide by them when mediating and bringing people together and settling disputes and conflicts.

Therefore, today’s world urgently needs calm diplomacy that evokes the values of honesty, kindness, mercy, justice and moderation in negotiation and communication; for the more diplomacy adheres to these values, the more happiness, stability, and security are achieved, so unrest and instability are reduced, conflicts and disputes disappear, and vice versa. This means that the absence of these diplomatic values and virtues makes it rigid diplomacy that does not achieve the desired goal but rather becomes a cause of disputes, unrest and conflicts between peoples and nations.

For her part, Prof. Azza Karam spoke about the importance of concerted efforts and integration of forces of all religions to end conflicts and disputes, noting that the desired stability is the stability of all, and the desired security is the security of all. She stated that some peoples and nations cannot enjoy security and safety without those of other peoples of the world; therefore, it is necessary to fight against calls and slogans that call for racism, intolerance, and segregation among peoples.

Both speakers answered questions from the participants for nearly two hours, and the session received an excellent reception and a distinguished follow-up.